States United Statement: Federal Court Blocks Key Portions of Trump’s Order Targeting Mail Voting Ahead of Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON — The States United Democracy Center released the following statement in response to the June 25, 2026 federal court ruling on the second elections-related executive order signed by President Trump.

Joanna Lydgate, CEO of the States United Democracy Center:

Today the court issued a resounding ‘no’ to the president’s illegal attempt to dictate who can vote by mail. The ruling affirms what we all know to be true: states run elections and the Constitution is the law of the land.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia challenged the president’s second executive order on elections in court. Under today’s decision, none of the major parts of the president’s order will impact the 2026 midterms in the states that filed suit. The court halted the federal government’s plans to build federal citizenship voter lists and force the U.S. Postal Service to withhold mail ballots in the upcoming midterms in those states. And it ruled that the federal government has no authority to enforce the provisions of the executive order against election officials in those states.

This is a huge win for states standing up to the president’s unlawful efforts to seize control of elections, and another failed power grab from President Trump. It’s a powerful reminder of the crucial role states play in checking federal power abuse, protecting elections, and defending the rights of voters.

States United has related research on mail voting, including its popularity in 2024 and attitudes about trust in voting methods. Research is also available on the administration’s limited role in elections.